As the leader of a company, you are there to set an example, to lead and inspire a team of individuals to achieve a series of business goals. But, how do these business leaders go about their daily routine? Business Leader spoke to Mary Maguire, MD of Astute Recruitment, about her working day.

WHAT TIME DO YOU USUALLY WAKE UP?

If it’s a work day I am usually up by 5.30am. If it’s a weekend and the kids allow, then usually I get a lie in till 8.30/9am.

WHAT DO YOU TYPICALLY HAVE FOR BREAKFAST?

During the week I’m quite naughty, a couple of black coffees usually does the trick- the first one has to have three sugars in, after that it’s Sweetex all the way.

WHAT IS THE REST OF YOUR MORNING ROUTINE BEFORE YOU START WORK?

I cherish having half an hour to have a cup of coffee, read the news online and think about what I want to achieve that day.

Then I’ll head for a piping hot shower, check my hubby is awake and shoot off to work between 6.45am-7.15am. This way I can (usually!) avoid the traffic nightmare that is the A52 and get some work done before the team arrives.

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU DO AT THE START OF YOUR WORKING DAY?

Probably boring and predictable but I check my emails, WhatsApp and texts. If there is something urgent – I can address it head on.

HOW DO YOU PRIORITISE YOUR DAY’S WORK?

I’m old-school so I have a page-per-day diary where I write down the most important things I need to get done in order of urgency – once completed I cross them off or carry over to the next day. I think I am alone in this as the rest of my team have everything on their phones, but I’d be lost without my diary.

DO YOU PLAN MEETINGS OR ARE THEY A WASTE OF TIME?

I always plan meetings – I really believe in the phrase “If you fail to prepare you prepare to fail”.

Even for staff 1:1’s, candidate interviews, any sort of meeting in or outside of work – you need to think why am I having this meeting and what do I want to achieve? Preparing for meetings saves time, shows you care and is the efficient, professional way to maximise results.

DO YOU HAVE A WORKING LUNCH OR IS IT GOOD TO TAKE A BREAK?

This depends on the day. I always have something to eat mid-morning and use that time to get away from my desk. It is definitely a good thing to have a break – just five minutes of fresh air often yields a solution to a problem or issue.

WHEN DOES YOUR WORKING DAY FINISH?

I start early and try to get home for 6pm – when I’m at home I put my mummy/ wife hat on. There are times where there is the odd call or email I have to address in the evenings, but I try and save those precious two or three hours at home to be in the moment with my kids and long-suffering husband!

HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR THE NEXT DAY’S WORK?

Personally – my preparation is the last thing I do before leaving the office. I look at my diary and make a note of what has/ hasn’t been done – carry things forward to the next day and then I can switch off. The next time I think about the next day is the next day. This could be why I rarely have trouble going to sleep.

FAVOURITE PIECE OF TECHNOLOGY?

I hate to be predictable – but it’s my Samsung smartphone. I can use it for work emails, research ideas, check the news, draft blogs and obviously keep in touch with friends, family and work contacts. I also seem to have developed a new addiction to Candy Crush – oops!

HOW DO YOU SWITCH OFF?

Spending time with my kids and husband is amazing. I also have a lifelong passion for reading and art – on a rare moment of total freedom, like to sketch and draw. I also love swimming and find that doing something like swimming or art completely takes over my mind and allows me to completely ‘switch off’.

BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED?

That’s a hard one – I have two and can’t choose one over the other, “Measure twice, cut once” and “Always treat others as you would wish to be treated”. I’ve always believed in these two and they have served me well both personally and professionally.

As it was Valentines Day on 14th Feb, I thought I’d ask – Are You Married to your Career?

Just like a relationship, do you find your job sapping all your energy? Is it all-consuming with you giving and giving with no gratitude in return? Do you feel that no-one is listening to you? Are you feeling unappreciated?

If that’s the case – maybe its time to find a new partner or certainly end what could be a toxic relationship!

It’s a proven fact that you are more likely on average, to spend considerably more time at work than you are with loved ones, family and partners. So it is vital that, just like a good, healthy relationship with your partner, you deserve and are entitled to have a great life partnership with your employer and career.

Some interesting facts researched by Perkbox who surveyed 2,000 professional UK Employees, discovered some disturbing findings around our relationships with work.

From the survey: –

1/ Separation Anxiety – Over HALF checked emails out of work hours whilst at home.

2/ Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO) – 1/3rd did not ‘switch off’ from work mode. Employees aged in their mid-twenties are statistically likely to work 7 hours a week extra at home on top of their normal contracted hours.

3/ Unreliable and breaking commitments – nearly 25% skipped social events with a further fifth of respondents admitting to cancelling annual holidays due to work commitments! A totally shocking 10% cited work as the reason for a total relationship breakdown.

4/ Draining our confidence, sapping energy & affecting our health & wellbeing – over 40% of professionals reported extra hours of work negatively affecting stress levels, energy levels and day to day mood. Negative effects on family life, decreased motivation and health all scored highly in nearly a 3rd of people.

So, what is to be done?

If you were talking to your friends/ family – the advice would be to look for another relationship and certainly if talking and communicating your unhappiness led to no improvements – you would quite rightly be looking for a new partner.

If you want a divorce from a toxic career relationship contact me or my team at Astute Recruitment Ltd – We are wonderful relationship councillors!

Article by Mary Maguire, MD Astute Recruitment Ltd

Originally Published on LinkedIn, February 13, 2019

Avoid storm clouds – Why cashflow is key

Why cash flow is THE most important issue facing SMEs and UK PLC.

If the sudden collapse of Fly BMI on the weekend ignited my curiosity on this subject, the disturbing news today of JLR’s £4bn losses fanned the flames. Cash flow. The lifeblood of all business.

Whether an SME business or an iconic British brand, begs the question, “Why isn’t cash flow at the front and centre of every company’s and government’s business strategy?”

Tata’s executive board deserve to hang their heads in shame pillaging increasing dividends when their cash cow needed strong cash flow metrics and tighter corporate governance.

The lessons from BMI and JLR are obvious, brutal examples of what happens when a decent business, with great branding, lacks cash flow B- plans. I’m going to be controversial now, bare with me.

Fly Bmi didn’t go to the wall because of Brexit. It sank because they didn’t have a plan B for their cash flow, losing their talented team & hardworking staff.

Let’s hope JLR, their owners & Directors can craft better cash controls or UK PLC will lose another, much larger iconic brand forever and with it hundreds of supply chain businesses & jobs. A great credit controller and accounts team have never been so important.

Written by Mary Maguire

Astute Recruitment Ltd

First published on LinkedIn

Life is a series of little successes. Make sure you celebrate yours.

“Life is a series of little successes. Make sure you celebrate yours”.

A quote from the latest life coach/ business guru? Nope. My husband said this to my 10 year old son.

We all have the power to inspire and encourage others in work, rest and play.

Who are you going to inspire today?

Written by Mary Maguire, MD

How to turn last year’s regrets into this year’s successes!

How to turn last year’s regrets into THIS YEAR’s SUCCESSES!

As Alfred Lord Tennyson wrote,

“Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering ‘it will be happier’”

HOW can you turn the regrets of yesteryear into a brilliant New Year?

First, it is about understanding what makes you truly happy.

Is it Power? Promotion? Money? A new Payrise? A new job?

Is it Love, Luck and Laughter?

Each and every one of us has a special gift, an innate ability to listen to our own unique inner voice.

If only we would listen.

I want you to try something.

Take a moment

Go on!

1/ Physically go somewhere quiet and take 3 or 4 deep, slow breaths.

2/ In complete stillness, quietly whisper to yourself what makes you truly happy?

3/ Close your eyes and visualise the moment when you were last truly happy.

If you do this properly – you will have at least the semblance of a smile on your face!

It may be the warm memory of your child’s first smile,

The face of your lover laughing

The ecstasy and thrill of a new job

Maybe it is the simple pleasure of driving your new car for the first time

For me, it was just a few days ago on Christmas Night. I’d been with my family for Christmas in Kent. That night, I turned to my husband and said “You know what? This has been the best Christmas for years.” He agreed.

What had made it so special?

All of us had been happy and content

All of us had been together sharing warmth, love and laughter

No rows

No shouting

The kids hadn’t started World War 3 (and neither had Donald Trump – yet!)

I’d managed to cook a Christmas meal that wasn’t burnt (I didn’t even forget to cook the sprouts)

No work or thoughts of work had the chance to creep into my head.

I’d had a break from the day to day

I’d had the time to just enjoy being in the moment with others I care about.

To be present and at peace

Together, with others, I’d had the chance to create lasting, happy memories to look back on.

All of us have the power within ourselves to feel great emotion, unbearable sadness, joy, happiness, love and reflection.

However, how many of us take the time to stand still.

To just ‘be in the moment’

As 2018 fades away and we are in the first throes of a New Year, take the time to think about what you have regretted in the last 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days.

What didn’t you do?

How could you have done better?

How could you have made every day, minute, every second count?

If you are stuck in a rut – how can you make small changes to make a big difference?

Could you do a new course? Gain a new qualification? Apply for that promotion? Interview for a new job?

Could you suggest new ideas to your boss that will make you stand out?

I’ll leave you with some wise words from William Shakespeare….

“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny,

But in OURSELVES”

Astute Recruitment – Triple-Point Guarantee Client Testimonial – Mayfield Yarns

Triple-Point Guarantee Testimonial – Mayfield Yarns

“As a highly regarded SME manufacturing specialist with a reputation for excellence, it was key for my senior management team, Finance Director and I to utilise a local Derbyshire accountancy recruitment specialist specifically working with other SME businesses. With a proud reputation for staff retention having had long-serving staff for 15+ years, I needed a new Qualified/ Qualified By Experience Accountant to assist me covering all aspects of manufacturing accounting including costings. I also needed someone with the experience to provide robust figures across the balance sheet and profit and loss for the Group FD based in Yorkshire. It was also incredibly important to get someone who would understand the quirks of our specific business, office set up and commit to us for the long-term.

After searching online – I came across Astute Recruitment Ltd. Their website, branding, and awards convinced me of their pedigree and focus specifically towards SME Businesses and I gave them a call.

I had a great initial conversation and arranged a meeting with Andy Lilliman – Senior Consultant and Mary Maguire – MD of Astute to understand their service and approach.

Myself and the Group Finance Director were very impressed, particularly when they explained their unique Triple-Point Guarantee. In return for exclusivity, signing and agreeing on specific dates for shortlisting CVs, first and second stage interviews – we were delighted to have the full focus of Astute’s team.

The Group FD and I did not want to engage with multiple agencies and have a raft of CVs and phone calls from other recruiters. Instead, we welcomed Astute’s dedicated approach in only shortlisting and sending us the most relevant, qualified candidates who matched our criteria.

Scroll forward four weeks and we have appointed a terrific candidate who was immediately available with the breadth of experience we were looking for, who also had the perfect fit for our own team, culture, and business.

I’m delighted with Andy and Mary from Astute and would thoroughly recommend them and their team. Their Triple-Point Guarantee offering also worked beautifully to ensure a smooth, efficient service with a guaranteed outcome.”

Ian Brindley

General Manager – Mayfield Yarns

Client testimonial on our Triple-Point Guarantee from Weight Partners Capital

Triple-Point Guarantee Testimonial – Dale Topco (owned by Weight & Partners Capital LLP)

I’m a partner at a specialist London based Private Equity Investment company. Nearly a year ago I needed a Financial Controller for one of our newly acquired SME Business Investments in Derbyshire. Key was to get someone who was hands on for this small but successful operation. Someone to be responsible for the day to day finance and accounting issues including outsourced payroll, statutory accounts, management accounts, managing a small team and ultimately reporting to the Private Equity partners.

Without understanding the local Derbyshire/ East Midlands marketplace – I googled a Derbyshire based accountancy recruitment consultancy and Astute Recruitment Ltd were top of the list. Their ethos, core market, and areas of expertise seemed to perfectly fit with what I needed.

After arranging a meeting with a consultant at Astute, I was confident that their knowledge of my business and the timelines agreed would work. Because I am London-based I only wanted to work with one agency who I could trust would have great local candidates with experience in other SME businesses. This is why I was so impressed by Astute’s Triple-Point Guarantee.

Agreeing exclusivity, I was able to map out ideal dates for initial shortlist of candidates, first stage interviews and second stage interviews to tie in with my existing diary commitments in London. This also allowed me to have just one point of contact to efficiently manage the entire recruitment process which is what happened.

As planned, 4 weeks from agreeing the brief, I was able to put an offer to the successful candidate. Nearly 12 months later the person appointed has grown to become a trusted and crucial part of the operation in Derbyshire. I would not hesitate to use Astute again and their Triple-Point Guarantee is a lifeline if you want a smooth process without the hassle of working with lots of different agencies.

David Jolly – Partner at London Based Weight Partners Capital LLP

WPC is a specialist private equity investor founded in 2009 to bring profit improvement and investing skills together to generate outstanding returns. They invest in the consumer and healthcare sectors where the team has operational experience. WPC focus on businesses capable of transformation but not in deep distress, at the smaller end of the market in the UK and Ireland.

Why your business needs a great Management Accountant

The dictionary definition of Management Accounts:

“A set of summarised accounting data (balance sheet, cash flow and income statement) prepared and presented (usually every month, fortnight or week) specifically for a firm’s management. The objective of management accounts is to provide timely and key financial and statistical information required by managers to make day to day and longer-term business decisions.

While financial accounts are the lifeblood of a business providing a snapshot of the income received and bank balance, it is the management accounts that truly deliver a story of where the business has been, where it is now and where it looks like heading. Management accounts are the thermometer of a business’s viability and critically it’s financial and commercial well being.

While AI is constantly looking to replace formulaic accounting there can be no substitute for a strong management accountant and true finance business partner to be the bellwether of a company’s performance.

Here at my company, Astute Recruitment, we have noticed an increased demand from SME business owners and Finance Directors for truly strong Management Accountants / Financial Business Partners – to go through the numbers, genuinely understand the ebbs and flows to provide the senior management team with clear, succinct, accurate information to genuinely impact the bottom line. People who can liaise with key internal and external stakeholders, providing them with meaningful operational information but who can also challenge the status quo to improve performance further.

If you are a Part Qualified/ Qualified Management Accountant who is looking for a genuine chance to add value and perform a true management accounting service for a great business, please contact Andy Lilliman or I for a confidential chat on 01332 346 100 or by email: [email protected] OR [email protected]

We have a number of brilliant roles at the moment with client’s keen to interview before the Christmas Holidays!

Leigh Timmis with the Astute Recruitment team

The 18th October, just 3 weeks after Leigh Timmis smashed the Guinness World Record for the fastest cycle across Europe –

16 days 10 hours 45 minutes; over eight days faster than the previous record!

All of us were delighted to have Leigh talk about how to deliver a world-class performance. His powerful presentation covered many evocative and emotional issues including mental health, team performance and a myriad of wonderful anecdotes that I know I’ll take away with me.

Leigh said after the morning “I took 70 business owners and senior managers behind the scenes of my record-breaking fastest cycle across Europe, explaining how I completed the 4000-mile challenge in 16 days 10 hours 45 minutes; over eight days faster than the previous record!”

He spoke honestly and passionately about his own, personal demons that he had to overcome on the record attempt, admitting that actually ‘the how I got there’ was much more rewarding to him than breaking the actual record. It was refreshing to hear someone speak so honestly and so openly of their personal setbacks – and hear how they overcame them.

Poignantly with just a road team of 4 including Leigh on his journey – loneliness was a major problem. 4,000 miles with just three people for company is a long way to travel. It is even more lonely as every single one of those 4,000 miles was made by Leigh on his own on his bike. Yes, he had his support team of three – but he had to bear up to every one of those thousands of miles physically and on his own. Psychologically, to listen to Leigh and how he and his support team coped, was one of the most inspirational parts of his presentation.

Another fascinating part of the morning highlighted why we all need to embrace our “WHY?”. Leigh described a tremendous technique to re-focus on goals is to bring your mind back to the “Why am I doing this?” and reminding yourself of not just the goal – but what you actually want to achieve along the way. Often people become absorbed in the process and the reason why they are attempting to do something is lost on the way.

Leigh himself said “My talk outlined the importance of setting goals that don’t limit you and establishing an environment that nourishes growth before exploring the decisive factors that shaped our project. With the focus on mental health and team-work, I highlighted the importance of a communication and management strategy to drive a team towards a shared goal, and what psychological interventions we implemented to ensure that I remained focused and determined.”

The audience left with anecdotes and tips about building mental resilience. They were imparted with the knowledge of how to create a positive mindset and an understanding of how Leigh was able to keep going through the most difficult challenges, and how they could apply these lessons to their personal and business goals.”

Leigh Timmis talking about the power of positive thinking and mental health

Engaging talk by Leigh Timmis

We had a brilliant audience of local professional business people from SME companies and larger firms across Derbyshire and the East Midlands. I’d like to share some of the great comments and photos from some of the people who came to watch Leigh and what they learned and took away from this inspiring morning……

Jon Ward | Senior Interim Accountant:

“I could draw similarities personally and professionally in what Leigh was saying and what I do. As an interim, you come with ideas and quite often have to ‘re-motivate’ and ‘re-energise’ a team already in situ, whereas he could build his own team. He was able to get everyone aiming at the same goals and understand “what’s their why”. I have to convince and cajole the team along to get them off their pathway and onto mine. I come in as requested as a professional interim and my “why” quite often hasn’t been shared. Plus, the expectation that I’m going to move on and leave them with my replacement (who may have a different understanding of “why”).

Leigh showed his passion retelling his story and the messages – his correlation to the audience for business, motivation, teams and leadership – were spot on. I’ve got several great takeaways out of this event and will be recommending Leigh to contacts as a speaker. An interesting, inspiring character and to do what he did by himself on a bike was exceptional!

Thanks again and for what it’s worth your team were friendly and supportive. A great team you should be proud of.”

Duncan Longson | Group Financial Controller:

“We very much enjoyed Leigh’s presentation, I think there was something in there for everyone to take away as food for thought! Thanks again for hosting the event.”

Alan Bunn FCA MBA Grad Dip CSP | Head of Finance & Business Services:

“Leigh’s talk was very inspirational, and I took away a few insights; written in your handy notebook 😊”

Ian Sackree | Chief Executive

“Thank you (and from Nadia too) very much for the invite; an inspirational start to the day.”

Amanda Strong | MD | Mercia Image Print

“I spent a long time speaking to Leigh and I agree he is so inspirational and even more so coming back from suffering from mental health himself.

It was a great morning. This successful event will be remembered and create awareness of the professional Astute Recruitment name.”

Iain McBride | Assistant Programme Manager

“Thank you ever so much for hosting the business breakfast. Leigh is an inspirational figure – with many stories to tell – and I am sure that he will engage and captivate everyone that he talks to – his journey through the last 12 months is one of sheer drive and determination and I will take away may things to try to change aspects of myself too.

Thank you also for the card draw, never been drawn out for anything other than a networking speech – so very surprised and overwhelmed!”

Lisa Richards | Partner | Dains

“Thanks, I thought it was a really great event, he was a great speaker with a really interesting story, thanks for the invite.”

Joe Butler | Head Of Accounts

“It was really interesting. Leigh’s drive is very contagious”

Feedback posted on social media: –

“An amazing presentation this morning from @leightimmis ‘Don’t be limited by your goals”

“I had a fantastic morning hearing all about @leightimmis #worldrecordbreaking ride across Europe.”

“An inspirational and engaging speaker and some great lessons learned”

Leigh Timmis with the Astute Recruitment team

Leigh Timmis is available for motivational talks, after dinner speeches, keynote speaking engagements at corporate events, schools and higher education talks and workshops. To learn more and to book him for your event, visit Leigh’s website here: https://www.leightimmis.com/speaking-engagements/

Find out what’s next and keep up to date with Leigh’s latest challenges on his Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn

As MDs of Astute Recruitment Ltd – Sarah Stevenson and I were delighted to put this event on for local business professionals and will go on to host more events in the New Year.

Keep an eye on our Events Page

www.astuterecruitment.com

Article by Mary Maguire

MD – Astute Recruitment Ltd

Astute Marketing Derby’s “Star Bondholder Of The Week”

Proud to be Marketing Derby’s Star Bondholder This Week!

Marketing Derby is a great organisation set up to raise the profile of Derby and Derbyshire’s hardworking business community. Their work embraces all manner of SME companies from start-ups to fully fledged organisations with a global reach. The hardworking team including John Forkin, have done a huge amount of work promoting the region both through their Ambassador Club in London and elsewhere. Their efforts have seen successful investments into the Derbyshire region and raised the global profile of Derbyshire as a county that means business.

Thank you Marketing Derby for acknowledging our team’s hard work and making us the Star Bondholder this week.

We look forward to hearing who next week’s Star is!

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Mike

16:04 13 Mar 23

Highly recommended! Josh and Sarah have been fantastic at Astute. They've found and placed me in 2 jobs now between them, both really responsive and excellent at keeping you up to speed with things. Very knowledgable about the roles and happy to talk to companies with any queries you have.

C R.

10:45 27 Jan 23

Great agency one of the best ones I've worked with! Liz has been a great help and support in helping me towards a new direction in my career life. She is very attentive and keeps me in the loop at all times! She makes the extra effort to work with my preferred requirements for work and even if it isn't completely attainable she meets me in the middle and does as much as she can to help! Also Liz is very funny might I add 😂 and I'm happy that I can now put a face to the name after all these years! Thank you again Liz for all your help and support! 😊

Christine

10:32 20 Dec 22

Josh and the Astute team was very swift to help me to find roles that matched my profile. They are really reliable and will help through every step of the recruitment process going out of their way to assist and follow up when needed. Could not find a better recruitment agency!

Helen Pinegar

16:19 18 Dec 22

Fantastic recruitment agency.. Josh was extremely enthusiastic, encouraging and clearly knowledgeable about what was needed from both the employee and the employers point of view. Extremely supportive especially in regards to interview preparation and endeavoured to procure feedback promptly. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Astute in the future to both candidates and recruiting businesses particularly for the right fit for the role!!!

Lisa Leigh

11:56 30 Nov 22

I have worked as a candidate for Astute and they have been excellent. Super friendly service and professional agents keen to fit the right person to the right job. It has been a pleasure dealing with them and I would happily work for them again in the future. Highly recommend this agency.